Apparatus for and method of making x-ray photographs



Aug@ E?, M. WMM-21.51-

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING XRAY PHOTOGRAPHS Eilsd Feb. 24, 1941 3 Sheetswhea l v\ 1 f J r, :www fr l.: m43@ P. M, wr-EELE-*a 223 4 APPARATUS FIOR AND METHOD .OF MAKING X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHS Filed FebZ., 1941 5 SheeS-Sheei, 2

APPARATUS FOR .AND METHOD OF MAKNG X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHS Filed. Feb. 2, 3.941. 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 jlvucn/fo/L Preson IKW/zadel;

Patented yAug. 17, 1943 4 327,294 r i g APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING jX-RAY PHOTOGRAPHS I-re-ston M; Wheeler, AustinQTex. VLApplica'ationFebruary 24, 1941, Serial No. 380,3481 t l 4 "claimsVV (c1. 25o-Q65) 'Ihis invention relates to apparatus for making "X-ray exposures or radiographs, and particularly to meansfor controlling the exposure of` an object While beingradiographed. In making radiographs of some subjects or objects, it isquite difficult tov obtain uniform exposure over the entire area of theobje'ct.v For.instanc'e,"in taking a radiographfof the spine, certain portions of the anatomy being denserthan other portions, varying effects will be produced on'` different portions of the lm if the 'entire object and film areexposed for the same period of time. Accordingly,

the primary object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for X-ray apparati'is'for` varyingf the duration Vof exposure'for different portions of an object, dependent upon the rela'- tive density of those objects. I

Another object is to provide means fr block-- ing'ofi portions' of an object from exposure in a, sequence, dependent upon the relative density Of the several portions. Y

Still 'another object is to provide members impervious tothe X-rays for blockingoff the desired portionseof the object landhave said mem-' bers adjustable relatively to one another, Whereby objects o f` different proportions, or areas Within theY object Aof different proportionscan be properly blocked off from exposure. w In this connection, the impervious members thatare-used for blocking off the X-ray's are adjustable toward andffro-m one another, and' to compensate `for adjustment `Aof said members away lfromene another, theyare' adapted to have portions thereof overlapping vat all times When they are in positionto block off vthe object from exposure.

Still another'object contemplated by the present invention is a vnovel method of'controlling exposure of an object to X-rays in the radio,`

graphing thereof, Whereinth'e entire vobject Vis first exposed by directing rays 'upon the object through an exposure aperture and subsequently obstructing `predetermined areas of said exposure opening to vblock oif the raysl fromthose portions ofthe object which are more readilypenetrated by the rays. Any number of portions of the object-can be ysuccessively blocked orf, the sequence Vbeing such vtl'iatthemore readily penetrated portions are the iirst tov bejblocked off,V while thejdenser portions 'are theilastto be blocked offy' although, in the actual practiceof the present" method, the densest pQrtionls never blocked off, as complete exposure of that portion is actually-the end ofthe radiographingiprocess. -Withthese and v"other objects inview, the vinlvention consists in certain details ofconstru'cton and arrangements and combinations of parts, allH of which will be hereinafter more fully described and thenovel features thereof particularly Iioi'nt.V

ed out in the appended claims...

In the preferred form of apparatus at present adoptedio'r practicing the method herein contemplated, which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings- Figure 1 is a perspective` vievv ef one 'fo-rm of machine embodying the present improvements;

Fig.2 isa vertical sectional View; Fig. 3 is a'front elevationV with the cover removed and the' exposure opening unobstructed; Fig. 4 is a View similar 'to Fig. 3, but illustrating the exposure opening as partially closed by the 'obstructing members;

Fig; 5 is a Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line G-G of Fie. 4:v i Fig. 7 is a sectional View on the line 1--1 `of Fig. 4:: Y i

"Fg; 8 is a detail perspective View of one of the members-utilized for ,obstructing the exposure opening; and Y sectional View 'on the line 5'-5 of x Fig. 9 is a perspective'view of an attachment for use in properly setting the apparatus to focus it uponthe object. t

Preferably, the present apparatus takes the form Vof a unit structurally independent of vthe X-ray apparatus proper, and this unit comprises a casing I having a base portion II adapted toY be mounted on a standard I2 which may Corilprisetelescoping sections to permit of vertical adjustnfient. At menant and rear, the easing' n I2 has Openings for the passage of the X-rays,

saidopeningsibeing provided With transparent closures I3, I4, such as will no-t interfere With the passage ofthe X-rays through said 'o'penirngsV Intermediate these front vand rear Openings in the interior of theV casing I,there is va 'partition member I5 formed With an exposure opening I6',

thisv opening andY the openings atthe frontend" rea-roi the casing I0 being alined with-one anr other. l To facilitate -propersettingof the appa- -g ratuswith Arespectf-to the object tobe radiographed,"asightjmemberII may be` detachably secured or clipped on the rear ofthe casing I. This sightlm'ember I I'I has asightfopening I3 thereinwherebyj the operatcntlookihg tln'ough @this sight opening .Iandthe openings in the housing may properly' directv the apparatus iupon the objectmfit' beingjunderstood that, after the 'apparatus'has beens'et, the sightmember I1 may Abe` I "eniovedA andthe X- rafy tube placed inthe position formerly occupied by the sight opening I8, under which circumstances the X-rays are certain to be properly directed upon the object. It will also be understood that, in the use of the present apparatus and method, the proper iilm least density have been exposed for a time neces-v sary to properly radiograph them, members impervious to the X-rays are adaptedto be positioned in the opening l so as to block off those particular portions. Subsequently, as other portions of the object of somewhat greater density have been properly exposed, additional portions of the exposure opening VI6 are "obstructed by members impervious to vtlieX-rays,fand'so on, until all except the densest portions of theobject have been properly exposed, at which time the radloerap'hins process Will 'have been Completed. For instance, in radiographing the spine ofthe human body, for which the present apparatus is especially designed, the neck and 'the area occupiel by the lunes of the patienter@ of less @density than other portions of the body. On the other" hand, the heart Yand the abdomen are the densest portions, While theV chin and jaws may be said to possess an intermediate degree' of density. Consequently, in the use oi the present appara.- tus in making a radiograph ci the spine of the human body, the body of the patient for'orthe full length of the spine is exposed to the X-raying tube with the rays directed through the opening IS at the initiation of the radiographing prop-. ess, Then, after the throat and lungareas have been properly exposed, plate-like members are adapted to move from the position shown in Fig. 3`

to the. position shown'in Fig. 4 topartially .obstruct the exposure opening I6, the areas occupied by these plate-like members Yvvhenrnoved Yin iront of. thefexposure opening corresponding to the lung and throat areas of lthe patient, As

shown in Fig. 4, this `leaves the lower portion of the exposure opening l5 unobstructed Voverthe area corresponding to the abdomen and, heartj of the patient and also the upper Portion -oifsaid opening corresponding to the ,jawand chin area of the patient, After the jaw and chin` area has been properly exposed, another impervious platelike member is adapted to be 4 rnovefl .into position to close the upper portion of the `exposure `opening I 6, This leavesonly thatportion of .the openlne I6 corresponding to the .heart and. abdomen unobstructed and,V after these portions V@if the patient have been .properly exposed, the radioeraphing is completed and, hence, thereis no.

need for providing obstruetins members for this lower portion of theopening Irrorderto provide adjustabilitr of the plate members -that'are utilized( for blockingl olf the lung and throat areas of the patient, these .menibers arepreferably made of setlonl Construction. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, there is po: sitioned at each side of .the exposure opening I6 two plates I9, 20,*all capableof movingrtransverselv of the exposure. opening, lThe plates l2@ are slidable klaterally on upper andiow'erguid'e rods 21,22, and the plates 19 are'cajrriedjon the plates 20,V being attached to the plates 20 by headed guide-pins v23 extending through slots 24,

whereby the plates I9 may move vertically relatively to the plates The guide rods 2|, 22 are mounted in suitable brackets on the partition l5. It will be appreciated that the apparatus must be capable of use in making radiographs of individuals of different proportions or stature. For instance, some persons will have comparatively long necks or, perhaps, comparatively narrow faces, whileY others may have Y,rather short, thick-set necks and comparatively broad chins and faces. For this reason, the plates 20 are adjustable toward and from each other by means of screws 25 extending into the casing l0 from 'oppositesides thereof and having their inner ex- 15A tremities threaded into offset portions 26 on the respective plates 20. As will be apparent, manipulation o f these screws 25 will move the plates on the supporting rods toward Yand from each other, depending upon the direction of rotation given the screws. Similarly, screws 2l extending into the easing fromppposite sides thereof are-adapted to have Vtheir inner extremitiesV impinge-againstinclined portions 28 von the respective plates i9, so that by advancing orV retracting these screws 21, the plates AI@ vcan be raisedor lowered-with respect'to the 'plates-NL Thus, by acombination;.r of adjustments ofthe plates I9 andu, the formerv being raised or lowered and-the latter being adjusted towardandfrom each other,V proper .com-

pensation can be made for patients of varyingpropvgirtionsl in thoseparts of ktheir anatomy above referred'to, In this connection, ity-is important,v Y

ofcourse, that, regardless of theextent to which Vthe plates 2i) might be adjusted away -frorn 1one another, they must completely obstructthe proper areav of the exposure opening I6, when'theyat the upperportoh of the exposure opening when'Y the plate members i9; Y2 0 are closed, must, alsahe later closed 'when the jaw and chin or the patient. have been properly exposed, For this purpose. there isprovided a closure member .29 impervious to the X-rays.' Normally, this member 29is positioned above the exposure opening, as best; seonin Fie. .5, but', when the chin .and face have vbeen properly exposed, this member' is .adapted to' he lowered .to Vclose theupperarea of'theexposuro coV opening.

Y Operation of .the several obstructing members may be eiected in various ways, but, inthe present instance, the plates 2B are yconnected bi1-links Sllto levers ,3.1, '732, and said .levers-are by a k1111x123Y pivotallv attached to-each ot'said levers. Lever 3l is pivoted on. a ,pi-n 3A mounted inthe: partition l5, and .lever i32 is 'pivotal-ana pin 35; a.ndattached .to lever Slat .itsend opposite' that tolvvhioh the plate' 2li-.is conheoted is a Sii `which is teosioned Whenthe plates i8, 2l)y ere in theiropen position, as 'illustrated in 3. so

.that the tendoneyr of the ,springis to .normally urgethe plate members IS, 20 toward theoposure .openins. lo normally hold the'plates in their 'open position, there'is a latching lever 31 pivoted at 38 on partition I 5, one end of said lever being provided with a recess 39 adapted to engage one of the offset portions 26 on one of the plates 20 when the plates are in open position. The opposite end of latching lever 31 terminates adjacent an electromagnet 4I, this end of said lever being bent over to project on the opposite side f the partition where the electromagnet is mounted, so as to interfere with movement of the plates 20. Similarly, the ray-obstructing member 29 is carried on a lever 42 pivoted at 43 and an angular portion of said member 29 is adapted to engage in the recessed end of a latching lever 44 pivoted at 45 and normally urged toward the member 29 by a spring 46. Latching lever 44 has associated therewith an electromagnet 41 and, as will be apparent, when it is desired to release the plates I9 and 20 all that is necessary is to energize e160- tromagnet 4 I, whereupon latching lever 31 will be tripped and, when it is desired to lower the obstructing member 29, the electromagnet 41 is energized to trip the latching lever 44. To reset the several obstructing members or return them to their unobstructing positions, there is a plunger 48 (Fig. 5) by means of which the lever 42 carrying member 29 can be depressed at one end to elevate the opposite end thereof, at which point the member 29 is mounted on said lever. Similarly, the lever 32 for actuating one of the plates 20 carries a finger grip 49 located at the exterior of the casing ID, whereby lever 32 may be retracted, which, of course, will also impart a retractive movement to lever 3l by reason of the connecting link 33 between said levers.

The overlapping, contiguous edge portions of the obstructing plates I9, 20 are best illustrated in the detail sectional view of Fig. 6. It will also be understood that, while the present plates are illustrated as being of a laminated construction comprising an intermediate layer of lead 5D for obstructing or blocking off the X-rays, nevertheless, these members need not necessarily take this particular form, the essential point merely being that these plate members be of such material as will prevent the passage of the X-rays through the exposure opening when said plates are interposed in said opening.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for controlling the exposure of an object to X-rays during the radiographing of said object, the combination of a frame having an exposure opening therein through which the entire area to be radiographed may be exposed to the X-rays, two pairs of members impervious to said rays for partially closing said opening to reduce the area of the opening to correspond to the area of said object of greatest density, means for adjusting the members of one pair of members toward each other, means for adjusting the members of the other pair of members longitudinally of said opening and means for moving the members of each pair toward each other transversely of said opening.

2. In an apparatus for controlling the exposure of the object in making a radiograph of the human spine, the combination of a frame through which the entire area to be radiographed may be exposed to the X-rays, plates impervious to said X-rays slidably mounted on said frame, means for moving said plates to positions within the boundaries of the opening for blocking off the rays normally directed to those portions of the object of least density, a member impervious to said X-rays supported on said frame, means for moving saidmember into said exposure opening for blocking 01T the X-rays normally directed to the next less dense portion of the object, means releasably retaining said plates in positions beyond the boundaries of said opening, means releasably retaining said member in position beyond the boundaries of said opening, and means for releasing said plates independently'of said member.

3. In an apparatus for controlling the exposure of an object to X-rays during the radiographing of said object, a frame having an exposure opening therein through which the rays may be directed toward the object, and closure members for partially obstructing said opening, each closure member comprising two sections adjustably connected to each other, said members being movable toward each other to at least partially close said opening, means for adjusting one section of a member relatively to the other section of said member and means for moving said members toward each other.

4. In an apparatus for controlling the exposure of an object to X-rays during the radiographing of said object, a frame having an exposure opening therein through which the rays may be directed toward the object, closure members carried by said frame, each member comprising two sections adjustable with respect to each other and movable toward each other to partially close said opening, means for moving said members toward each other and means for adjusting said members toward and from each other.

PRESTON M. WHEELER. 

